It’s a reader’s rite of passage to walk into a movie theater to see a favorite book come to life and walk out bitterly disappointed. Sometimes, there’s no softening the truth: what you read on the page is so much better than what you watched on the screen. The following are four beloved books that are undoubtedly better than their film adaptations.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Passionate fans of this young adult classic will agree that a true film adaptation of Ella Enchanted does not yet exist. Levine’s 1997 retelling of Cinderella, which earned a prestigious Newbery Honor, was adapted for the screen in 2004, with Anne Hathaway in the starring role. But the movie took significant liberties with Levine’s original plot, adding characters and excluding beloved scenes. The moods of the film and the book feel disparate. As David Rooney wrote in Variety, “The filmmakers also pushed the tone into a far more jokey comic realm, which dilutes the romantic-magical chemistry of the book, downplaying its central idea of a ‘Cinderella’ overhaul.”
The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
This 1850 work of historical fiction about the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 1640s has inspired a number of adaptations to film, page and stage, but the most bizarre of these may be the 1995 film starring Demi Moore, Gary Oldman and Robert Duvall. It was labeled “trashy and nonsensical” by Caryn James in the NewYork Times, and is frequently disparaged for changing much of the source material, including the ending. Receiving a shockingly low score of 13% on Rotten Tomatoes, this movie took home the award for the Worst Remake or Sequel at the 1995 Golden Raspberry Awards.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass, published in 1995, is the first novel in the beloved young-adult fantasy series, His Dark Materials, a magical story set in a parallel universe. This first part of the trilogy follows a young girl named Lyra as she embarks on a rescue mission to the Arctic. The widely panned 2007 film took five years to complete, slowed down by disagreements over the script and the direction. The studio bought the rights to the trilogy in 2002 and commissioned Tom Stoppard to write the screenplay. Chris Weitz was hired to direct. But Stoppard’s script was rejected and Weitz was fired. In his place, the studio hired Anand Tucker to direct, though Tucker resigned in 2006. Then Weitz returned to write the screenplay and direct the project. The result was a disappointing (and extremely expensive) movie that cut or changed many elements of the novel.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This bestselling novel from 2002 tells the story of a teenage girl who is raped and murdered and watches her family grieve from heaven. The 2009 film adaptation boasts terrific performances by Saoirse Ronan and Stanley Tucci as the girl and her attacker, but has little else to offer. The fine balance of sentiment and violence that Sebold strikes in the novel is lost in the movie. The film “strikes clashing tones, veering from lightheartedness to heavy-handedness,” Claudia Puig wrote in USA Today, adding that the device of main character narrating from heaven “works on the page but comes off artificial and emotionless on-screen.”
1. All the reviews mention the actors or actresses starring the film adaptations except ______.| A．Ella Enchanted | B．The Scarlet Letter |
| C．The Golden Compass | D．The Lovely Bones |
| A．Disappointing changes to the original story. |
| B．Being not so ground-breaking as the book. |
| C．Taking too much time and money for filming. |
| D．Being not so vividly expressive as the book. |
| A．it is always the truth that books are better than film adaptations |
| B．an all-star cast results in the excellence of film adaptations |
| C．changes to original plots can’t influence film adaptations positively |
| D．words can be more powerful than images in expressiveness |
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【推荐1】Disaster movies have been hitting the big screen for years. The followings are chosen based on their quality.
Geostorm
Climate change is causing endless disasters, destroying entire cities. Researcher Jake Lawson doubts that someone is doing the damage. And if he doesn’t find out the person, the planet is to suffer from more destruction. Geostorm gives action lovers an excellent way to spend the evening.
*Published in 2017
*Directed by Dean Devlin
*Starring Gerard Butler
*Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
*Studio: Warner Brothers
Titanic
Titanic is one of the greatest disaster films of all time. The true story breaks hearts and inspires lovers across the globe. With performances from Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, audience members can expect the performance of a lifetime when the masterful creators appear on the screen.
*Published in 1997
*Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet
*Directed by James Cameron
*Run time: 3 hours 14 minutes
*Studio: Paramount Pictures
Twister
In 1969, a family wakes to a horrible tornado. While attempting to take shelter, 5-year-old Jo Thornton sees her father being lost to the vortex (涡流). As an adult, Jo is devoted to the research of tornadoes. She wants to make sure that no one else has to die like her father. The lines (台词) are simple. What impresses viewers most is the music written by Mar Macina, which keeps viewers focusing on the story.
*Published in 1996
*Directed by Jan de Bont
*Starring Helen Hunt
*Run Time: 1 hour 52 minutes
*Studio: Warner Brothers
127 Hours
Based on a true story, 127 Hours is a tale of bravery and survival. What happens when you adventure in the wild alone? How do you handle a series of unfortunate events? And what gives people the will to live? 127 Hours is based on Aaron Ralston’s book: Between a Rock and a hard Place.
*Published in 2010
*Directed by Danny Boyle
*Starring James Franco
*Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes
*Studio: Warner Brothers
1. Who directed Geostorm?| A．Dean Devlin. | B．James Cameron. | C．Jan de Bont. | D．Danny Boyle. |
| A．The pictures. | B．The story. | C．The music. | D．The lines. |
| A．They have the same run time. | B．They are based on the true stories. |
| C．They were published in the 20th century. | D．They were produced by the same studio. |
【推荐2】How do actors and actresses memorize hundreds of lines? Memorizing lines takes practice and constant repetition. However, there are a few ways to make the memorization process run smoothly and quickly.
For most performers, there is no quicker way of memorizing lines. To learn lines, an actor must recite the play loud over and over again. Most rehearsals(排练) encourage this by running through the lines or having a"read-through". By the time the opening night arrives, most actors have spoken their lines hundreds of times.
Listen to your cast members
Sometimes inexperienced actors spend rehearsals looking at fellow performers, waiting patiently to say their next line.
Because there is often not enough rehearsal time, many performers find ways to listen to the play's dialogue during everyday activities. They use a tape recorder or an MP3 player to listen to the lines from each relevant scene. Some actors prefer to record the lines of all the characters, including their own lines.
Think positively and don't panic
Most actors will experience stage fright before the opening night. Actors forget lines now and then. When it happens, however, most of the time the audience never notice. If you forget a line in the middle of your performance, don't freeze. Stay in character. Keep the scene going to the best of your ability. If unfortunately you forget a line once, you will probably never forget that line ever again.
| A．Record your lines |
| B．Practice makes perfect |
| C．Read lines loud and repeat them |
| D．Remember the lines in a short time |
| E．Sometimes embarrassment is the toughest method of memorization |
| F．Then, they not only listen carefully, but they also speak all of the lines |
| G．Instead, they should be listening carefully, responding in character at all times |
【推荐3】The Best BBC Documentaries on Netflix
Wild Alaska
Wild Alaska is a three-part documentary that first aired in 2015. It features three 50-minute long episodes (集), each of which focuses on Spring, Summer, and Winter. As you watch, you will learn about how the local wildlife comes out of hibernation (冬眠), compete for the landscape’s resources, and the great change in life and scenery that takes place when the coldest months return to Alaska.
Nature’s Weirdest Events
Nature’s Weirdest Events has run for five seasons since 2012. Like Wild Alaska, each season has three parts, and each of the three episodes runs for 50 minutes. Lines read by the English naturalist, Chris Packham, the show explores some o£ the natural world’s strangest phenomena (现象). They include a ball of worms rolling down a road, frozen frogs, and fish that attack birds on the land.
Monkey Planet
2014’s Monkey Planet was an immediate hit when it first aired in the UK. Filmed in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Congo, Thailand, and Japan, the show aims to explore the differences of primates (灵长目动物), their social behavior, their intelligence, and their self-awareness. Each of the three parts lasts for one hour. Unfortunately, a second season was never made.
Weird Wonders of the World
Weird Wonders of the World is the second BBC documentary on Netflix spoken by Chris Packham. The first and second seasons are available on the platform, and each has eight episodes lasting 50 minutes for you to enjoy. Some of the strange events you can look forward to seeing include a silk-producing goat, an Antarctic glacier that gives out red water, and a drought which causes rocks to explode.
1. In which documentary can you see competition among wildlife?| A．Wild Alaska. | B．Nature’s Weirdest Events. |
| C．Monkey Planet. | D．Weird Wonders of the World. |
| A．They are themed with wild animals. | B．They are filmed by the same person. |
| C．They present strange natural phenomena. | D．They run for eight episodes of each season. |
| A．It has taken some shots in China. | B．It was well received in the UK. |
| C．It was released later than Wild Alaska. | D．Its second season will come out soon. |
【推荐1】Passenger Information Carry-on Bag Rules
When travelling on China Southern planes, we ask our customers to follow our simple bag rules.
—Each passenger is allowed to bring one bag onto the plane.
—Weight limit: Each carry-on bag may weigh up to 10 kilos.
—Size limit: Each carry-on bag can be up to 110cm long, 60cm high and 30cm wide.
—Additional bags and oversized/overweight bags may be allowed on the plane if there is enough room. There will be a fee for such bags (see the table below). Please note that if your bag breaks more than one rule then you must pay a fee for each rule broken.
Safety Rules
For the safety of our passengers, the following items must not be taken onto the plane:
—Bottles containing gas (e.g. cigarette lighter)
—Bottles containing any cream, oil or other liquid that are over 100ml.
Note:
If you have any liquid medicines over 100ml that you must use during your flight, please contact our customer service manager on 34533566 to make arrangements at least 24 hours before your departure. You will need to have a doctor’s letter explaining why you need the medicine.
Bag Fees
| Rule | ||
| Fee Overweight* | Bags heavier than 10 kilos | ￥100 per kilo over limit |
| Oversized** | Bags larger than 110cmX60cmX30cm | ￥250 per bag |
| Extra bags | ￥400 per extra bag |
*No bag over 15 kilos will be allowed on the plane.
**No bag over 150cm long or 80cm high may be taken on the plane. Passengers must put such bags in the plane’s storage.
1. How much will a passenger pay for a carry-on bag that is 110cmX50cmX25cm in size and weighs 13 kilos? .| A．850 yuan. | B．550 yuan. | C．300 yuan. | D．250 yuan. |
| A．When they arrive at the airport. | B．Six hours before their flight. |
| C．At least one day before their flight. | D．After they get on the plane. |
| A．A 100ml bottle of cream. | B．A bag that is 120cm long. |
| C．Medical equipment. | D．A gas bottle. |
【推荐2】Singapore is a lively island country known for a mix of cultures and tastes. Here are four popular dishes that offer a true taste of Singapore.
Hainanese Chicken Rice
This dish is a favorite and is very simple yet very tasty. The chicken is cooked in water to be very soft and is served with rice that has been cooked with chicken soup, along with a bit of spicy sauce. Each part of this dish is carefully made to make the eating experience even better.
Bak Kut Teh (Pork Ribs Tea)
A strong and healthy breakfast choice, Bak Kut Teh is a dish that warms you up. Even though tea is in the name, it's not a drink. It's a tasty soup made by cooking pork bones with Chinese herbs and spices. The soup is usually eaten with rice and has a bit of a spicy taste that wakes up your taste buds, a great way to start the day.
Katong Laksa
Laksa is a hot noodle soup that shows Singapore's mix of cultures. The soup has a thick coconut milk(椰奶) base with a strong smell of spices like lemongrass and tamarind. It's often filled with things like shrimp, fishcakes, and soft tofu, making it a full and satisfying meal that pleases your mouth with each bite.
Char Kway Teow (Stir-Fried Rice Noodles)
If you like food that's a bit smoky and tasty, try char kway teow. This noodle dish is a must-eat at Singapore's food stalls. It's cooked in a wok(炒菜锅) with things like clams, Chinese sausage, and long beans, then flavored with a sauce that is both tasty and a little sweet. The last step is to add a bit of chopped chili, which gives the dish a nice little spicy taste.
1. How is the chicken in Hainanese chicken rice typically prepared?| A．It is roasted in an oven. | B．It is cooked to be very soft. |
| C．It is cooked with a sour sauce. | D．It is roasted with herbs and spices. |
| A．A kind of cattle bone. | B．A kind of drink. |
| C．A kind of rice. | D．A kind of soup. |
| A．Char kway teow. | B．Bak Kut Teh. |
| C．Katong laksa. | D．Hainanese chicken rice. |
【推荐3】The Faculry of Arts and Sciences (FAS)offers undergraduates a wide range of courses to satisfy individual objectives and interests. Students are responsible for knowing the rules that apply for Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degmes.
GRADING SYSTEM
LETTER GRADES
●A, A- Extraordinary performance in all respects concerning the course.
●B+, B, B- Good comprehension and skills of the course material full involvement with the course requirements and activities.
●C+, C, C- Meeting the basic requirements for assigned work and class activities.
●D+, D. D- Work with minimal command and participation of the course materials and activities.
●E Work unsatisfactory and unworthy of the course credit.
NON-LETTER GRADES
●ABS Students who miss a regularly scheduled midyear or final examination are given a failing grade of Absent (ABS), which will be changed only if the student is permitted to take a makeup with 32 examinations.
●EXLD An Excluded (EXLD)indicates that the student was not permitted to continue in the course and received no credit. Exclusion from a course is equivalent in all respects to failing it.
●SAT/UNS The grade of Satisfactory includes letter grades from A to C-; the grade of Unsatisfactory represents work below C- and is considered a failing grade.
GRADE POINT AVERAGES
A=4. 00, A-=3. 67, B+=3. 33, B=3. 00, B-=2. 67, C+=2. 33, C=2. 00, C-=1. 67, D+=1. 33, D=1. 00, D-=0. 67. E, ABS, UNS, EXLD=0.
CREDIT REQUTREMENTS
·All candidates must pass 128 credits(the equivalent of 32 4-credit courses)and receive letter grades of C-or higher in at least 84 of those credits. Each course is of 4 credits and the length of a semester.
·The only non-letter grade that counts toward the requirement of 84 satisfactory letter-graded credits is Satisfactory (SAT).
·Forty-eight of the required 84 letter-graded credits should be completed by the end of sophomore year. Ordinarily, no first-year student or sophomore may take fewer than three letter-graded courses(4 credits per course)in any term.
1. According to the passage, on what base are letter grades given to the undergraduates?| A．Overall performance. | B．Exam scores. |
| C．Course credits. | D．Class attendance |
| A．8 points | B．11 points |
| C．10. 2 points | D．9. 7 points |
| A．An educational newspaper | B．A high school website |
| C．A university student handbook | D．A psychological brochure. |
